Code Geass - Lelouch of the Rebellion/Code Geass - Hangyaku no Lelouch: Lost Soldiers
by: Ominae
Rating: T
NOTE:
All characters of Code Geass are under the copyright of Goro Taniguchi, Sunrise, CLAMP and Bandai Entertainment. All other characters are under my jurisdiction.
Summary:
The Black Knights are temporarily sheltered by the Lost Soldiers while the Britannian military stationed in Area 11 prepares to launch a COIN operation against an unknown rebel group. V.V. had been undergoing secret preparations for Eden Vital. How does V.V. fit into this? Stay tune to this chapter to find out.
Chapter 9: Training Day
Cockpit, Z-01B Lancelot Club
"Looks like the Lancelot Club's operational." Marc checked the Lancelot Club's OS, seeing that nothing was wrong with it. "Nothing wrong with the weapons nor with the landspinners."
"Hey boss." Rai called up on Marc from outside. "I know you're going to spar with Kallen, but isn't it a bad idea to use most of the weapons like your rifle and the Guren Mk-II's radiation weapon? I don't think our hideout's going to look the same if either of you use them."
"You're right." Marc sighed. "Better point that out to Kallen as well."
"Understood. Out."
Now then. Marc sighed, staring at the Guren in front of him in a kneeling position. Will you give it your all, Kallen Kozuki?
Somewhere in RBA Tokyo, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
Darlton eyed the maintenance technicians getting the knightmares ready in the hangar nearby. Not being needed by Princess Ambrosia for the meantime, the scarred officer came to the base after hearing rumors of two Eleven-made knightmares being commissioned into Britannian army service from the previous COIN op that he and Guilford had commanded.
"Using an Eleven machine to defeat the Eleven-led insurgency?" Darlton sneered at the newly repainted light blue Raiko aka Thunderbolt, which was being prepared outside the hangar nearby. Just seeing the siege machine being pressed into Britannian service has given him some memories with his involvement with the Lost Soldiers. "We have better weapons to use in the upcoming COIN op than that."
Even before they had turned against their Britannian masters.
2010 ATB
Outside Ministry of Defense, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Darlton was outside the battered MOD building, heavily surrounded by Britannian troops and knightmares with an array of destroyed JGSDF vehicles and corpses of slain JGSDF soldiers nearby. He inspected the frontlines, gunfire apparently seized after a squad of Glasgows fired at the MOD with their machine pistols and giant handheld cannons.
"Good work." Darlton approached a Britannian troop, directed to them as a COSMOS formation by a Britannian officer. "Your efforts enabled us to capture the Japanese Ministry of Defense without any losses on our side."
"Thank you, sir." A COSMOS trooper saluted Darlton.
"Your skills are appreciated for this operation, Number 33." Darlton acknowledged the salute.
"Are we to launch a raid on the building?" Another COSMOS trooper asked Darlton, hefting her M-13 at the ready.
"Yes, we are Number 25." Darlton replied to the female trooper. "As of 1500 hours, COSMOS is to launch a raid inside the grounds of the MOD and capture any JSDF personnel alive. SAS will assist you in the raid. These are direct orders from headquarters."
"Understood!" The trooper known as Number 33 assembled his comrades before they began to run towards the blasted gates of the MOD, aiming their rifles at the building. Moments later, two teams of SAS commandos followed the COSMOS soldiers behind while using the walls of the MOD to conceal themselves before they entered the building premises, the SAS teams going left and right to clear the exterior as the COSMOS troops stormed the interior.
"COSMOS was effective in breaking through the barricades set up by the SOG and the WAiR in front of the MOD..." Another officer narrated to Darlton how COSMOS was able to eliminate the MOD barricades that were giving Britannian forces a hard time in capturing the establishment.
"Indeed they are. Almost everyone in the army has high regards for their actions for the few past battles..."
Somewhere in RBA Tokyo, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"Major Darlton."
Darlton turned around to see Bartley next to him.
"General Bartley." Darlton said between gritted teeth. Even though Bartley had a higher rank than him as he was a general in the army, the scarred man held almost no respect for him after hearing news from fellow officers that he had blundered an operation with the Britannian Marines during the invasion of Japan.
"I see that you're quite fascinated by the Eleven siege machines that we're pressing into service for the upcoming COIN op." Barltey adjusted the monocle over his left eye. "They're quite interesting, considering the army doesn't have them yet."
"No." Darlton glared at him. "Rather, I'm intrigued by it."
"Oh?" Bartley was surprised. "Is that so?"
"Indeed it is." Darlton began to walk away from the Thunderbolt, heading towards RBA Tokyo's main base. "But I would rather be fascinated if you're to pilot that thing."
"Wha?" Bartley was taken aback by Darlton's suggestion.
I'll never understand that man.
Cockpit, Type-02 Guren Mk-II
"Alright, I want you two knightmare frame pilots have a nice, clean but awesome fight here." Kallen sighed while hearing Rai go over the rules of their match like a boxing referee. "The only rule for this fight is not to use any weapons that can cause the place here to cave in on all of us. Understood?"
"No weapons that can..." Kallen looked around the room. "cave in?" Probably since the Lost Soldiers use the mountains of Okuchichibu to conceal their base?
"Okay!" Rai shouted, getting into his temporarily role as the match referee. "Let's get ready to rumbbbllllleeeeeeee!"
"Here goes." Kallen murmured, maneuvering her Guren Mk-II to get close to the Lancelot Club after Rai had given the go signal to start the match. "Here goes nothing."
"Erah!" Drawing out the Guren's fork knife, known as the Ryogo Otsugata Tozantou, Kallen took the initiative of attacking first when she brought the blade towards the Club.
The Club dodged the attack by moving to her left in an instant, leaving Kallen dazed.
"Wha?" Kallen was taken aback before she felt a sharp punch on her rear.
"Don't let your guard down!" Marc warned Kallen. "Keep at it!"
"G-got it!" Kallen turned the Guren around, slashing at the Club. The Club dodged left and right before it went on the offensive and tried to punch the Guren's head; Kallen intercepted the punch with her fork knife's handle and struck the Club's left arm hard.
Throne Room, Britannia Palace, Pendragon Palace, Pendragon, Phoenix, Arizona, United States, Britannian Empire
Schneizel el Britannia had appeared in the Britannia Palace's throne room, with him and Charles zi Britannia alone without anyone else inside to see or hear what they have to say.
Let's see what Schneizel has to say for today. Charles eyed the blonde prince carefully, who knelt in front of his throne as a form of courtesy.
"I pay my respects to the 98th Emperor of the Holy Empire of Britannia," Schneizel began, who was still kneeling in front of Charles. "Charles zi Britannia."
"What's the reason that you wish to seek my audience so urgently, Schneizel?" Charles eyed Schneizel carefully as he stood up. "I heard that you need to discuss something to me that it can't wait."
"Father." Schneizel started to reply. "I bring forward the concerns of the Britannian people, including those from the Royal Court, regarding your absence lately from the public eye."
"Oh?" Charles raised an eyebrow. "Is this out of concern for me as my second eldest son or as the Prime Minister of Britannia?"
"I'm concerned for your welfare as both." Schneizel was quick to reply.
"What I do in my private time is none of their business." Charles answered Schneizel's concerns.
"I see." Schneizel decided to accept his answer. Unless, he's researching into...that again. "If you would excuse me now."
Charles watched Schneizel depart from the throne room, seemingly leaving him alone with a bright ray of light coming from the light fixture on top of the throne chair.
"Your Majesty." A figure appeared from the shadows behind the chair. "Are you sure it's wise to leave the prince unchecked?"
"It's you Bismarck." Charles turned his head to the right to see his personal knight standing next to him, looking very concerned before he chuckled. "Don't worry about me. I know what I'm doing."
"But sooner or later," Bismarck Waldstein, Charle's personal knight and known to the public as the "Knight of One", objected to Charle's lack of concern. "Schneizel may begin to plot something against you and before you may know it, it's too late."
"At ease, Knight of One." Charles had seemed to brush off Bismarck's concern. "You think that I'm not aware of that."
Bismarck was stunned to hear Charle's words on the situation.
"Of course, I'm aware. I'm maintaining the front that I am not totally aware of what he does, such as spending time with his own personal research at Dallas, Texas." Charles rubbed his chin with his gloved left hand. "It's only a matter of time before Schneizel decides that it's enough."
"And I suggest that you have a plan of action, your Majesty?" Bismarck asked, feeling skeptical of Charle's actions while scratching his right stitched eye.
Charles grinned. "You think I don't have one up my sleeve, Bismarck?"
The one-eyed man did not offer an appropriate answer.
Cockpit, Z-01B Lancelot Club
I think I'm on a high here.
Marc found himself being assaulted by the Guren, which had tried to slash the Club with the fork knife at all sides, finding himself at the defensive once more after being able to keep Kallen at the defensive herself.
"Okay." Marc grinned. "That'll be enough now, little missy."
Having armed himself with the dual MVS swords and executed horizontal slashes to keep Kallen back. Okay. Here goes.
Marc had manipulated the Club to combine the MVS swords, turning it into a lance-type weapon. He spinned it over its head before the Lost Soldier had brought it to his side.
"Take this!" Marc charged it, bringing the MVS lance forward to try and stab the Guren somewhere in its body.
"Ha!" Kallen shouted, using the fork knife to block the stabbing attempt. The two knightmares brought their handheld weapons together, clashing with their blades.
Dammit! The more Marc tried to knock off the fork knife's blade from his MVS lance's, the more Kallen wanted to do the same as well. We're reaching a stalemate. And I... Marc tried harder to push his blade towards her. I must get an advantage over her...
"Eiyah!" Marc pushed her away and fired the slash harken mounted on its left arm. "Eat this!"
The Guren saw the slash harken approaching it and used the fork knife to whack it away from its sight. Marc saw the Guren point the fork knife at him after he retracted the fired slash harken.
"O-kkkaayyy..." Marc moved the Club around to try and disorient Kallen. "Try some of this!" This time, Marc hurled his MVS lance at the Guren. He expected much when he saw the Guren dodge it.
He had the perfect opening when he raised the Club's arms and aimed it at the Guren...
Cockpit, Type-02 Guren Mk-II
"Hrah!"
Kallen was quick on her hands, using her trusty fork knife to smack the hurled MVS lance meant for her Guren's head. The Eurasian girl held a sigh of relief when she had noted her opponent in front of her was aiming something at her again.
Slash harkens?!
Her question was answered when Kallen saw the slash harkens mounted on the Club's arms had been launched again.
"Why you!" Kallen fired the "Hien Souga" slash harken, connecting with the right slash harken in order to disorient it. The claw arm was used to smack the left slash harken away from it. "Keep back!"
When she saw the Club charge at her and raised its right arm to punch her, Kallen quickly used her claw arm to grab it.
"Heh." Kallen grinned and began to crush the metallic limb slowly. She saw the Club squirm at her mercy.
Knightmare Training Area, Lost Soldiers Base, Okuchichibu Mountains, somewhere near Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
Zero, Ougi, Rakshata, Rai and Ken were watching the knightmare match with much enthusiasm. The two Lost Soldiers had been cheering for Marc while Ougi had done the same for Kallen.
"It seems that the hero of the Lost Soldiers is about to lose." Zero commented, seeing the Club's right arm being slowly crushed. Ougi flinched a bit, swearing that he heard some cracks coming from the Club.
"Looks like I have to agree." Rakshata sighed, twirling her pipe on her left hand.
"You guys are too pessimistic on this." Rai sighed, not believing that he was hearing things like that from the great Zero and Rakshata. "It ain't over 'till the big boss says its over." He nudged Ken with his right elbow. "Right, mate."
"Huh?" Ken was busy watching his twin sister try to beat the stuffing out of his CO that he almost forgot what Rai had asked him.
"Oh..oh yeah!" Ken slapped his masked face twice to get himself oriented. "That's right." I wish nee-san would win this match. I wonder if she'd acknowledge me since she doesn't know that I'm alive or dead. Never mind, I'm concealing my face with my balaclava...
"Besides." Rai grinned under his mask. "The boss is highly perceptive on situations that would bring curtains to him..."
Cockpit, Z-01B Lancelot Club
"I ain't going down." Marc whispered to his opponent. Eyeing the Guren still crushing the Club's right arm, he activated the slash harken on the left arm to disorient his opponent after hitting it on its head.
Shame I didn't arm myself with the VARIS. Marc retreated a few feet back from the Guren. Then I could've won this sparring match of ours. The Club rushed back to the Guren, surprising his opponent without giving her a chance to defend herself.
The Club pressed on the offensive, executing a spinning kick that struck the Guren on the cockpit before it did the same maneuver, striking it at the head once more.
"Thanks to the this baby being a 7th generation," Marc began to chuckle. "I can easily execute moves such as this."
He watched the Guren take the blows twice before it clenched its claw hand into a fist.
"Urgh!" The Club took a blow in retaliation at its head; the Guren executed a flip before it tried to stab the Club again with the fork knife.
"Not happening!" Marc moved the Club away from the Guren, trying to land a punch on his opponent with his functioning left arm. "Looks like I won't be able to win this match..."
Prime Minister's Office, 10 Saint Darwin Street, Pendragon, Phoenix, Arizona, United States, Britannian Empire
After his private audience with his Majesty, Schneizel was able to return back to his office in 10 Saint Darwin Street. He was lucky that no reporters were around the premises due to strict security policies of not letting anyone in Pendragon unless his Majesty or a member of the current Royal Family has given his or her explicit permission due to concerns that terrorists and other rogue elements would be able to infiltrate the capital without any opposition.
It seems that Father's been busy doing... some other activities away from the public eye.
Schneizel sighed, seated in his chair enjoying the tranquility of the empty office. He decided to fully enjoy it for the meantime; Schneizel had diplomatic meetings with the Chinese Federation ambassador for two nights regarding the plans of the eunuchs over the current Empress in their embassy.
Staring at the photo frame on his desk, the blonde man noted the many faces of Charles zi Britannia gathered together for a photo op that had been used for the family's personal use. Everyone from Odysseus eu Britannia, the eldest of Charles's children all the way to Lelouch and Nunnally vi Britannia were together in the photo. They had smiles on their faces when the picture was taken.
Seven years. Schneizel blinked his eyes. It's been far too long. He remembered it all, it was the last photo op of siblings together before the children of the late Marianne vi Britannia were sent to Japan under his father's orders. His younger stepsister, Cornelia li Britannia, objected to her father's orders and stood up to him in the court. He never forgot Charles's wicked smile on his face when he had passed the order to sent Cornelia into exile as well with Lelouch and Nunnally.
2008 ATB
Throne Room, Britannia Palace, Pendragon Palace, Pendragon, Phoenix, Arizona, United States, Britannian Empire
"What the hell's going on here?"
A young Schneizel arrived in the throne room of Pendragon Palace, seeing Cornelia standing next to Lelouch as she confronted their father.
In the presence of the entire Royal Court, she stood without any sign of hesitation in her face when she arrived in the throne room. Her cloak had swept the carpet after she walked towards the throne.
"Are you mad, father?!" Cornelia shouted, sending the entire court into shock. "Sending Lelouch and Nunnally away to Japan even after her highness, Marianne vi Britannia was gunned down by unknown terrorists!"
"What I decide is none of your business, Cornelia." Charles sneered at the purple-haired teenager before he glared at Lelouch. "Besides, Lelouch had dared to challenge my authority on his mother's death." Lelouch glared back at Charles, hearing him speak about his mother without a hint of sympathy towards his situation.
What came next was a shocker to Schneizel after Charles grinned.
"But since you're so willing to stand up for Lelouch and Nunnally my dear," Charles ran his right thumb and index fingers on his white beard. "I've decided that you should be exiled along Lelouch and Nunnally. That way, you'll be able to keep a close eye on them."
Schneizel was at a loss of words at two Royal Guardsmen came in the throne room to escort Lelouch and Cornelia.
Prime Minister's Office, 10 Saint Darwin Street, Pendragon, Phoenix, Arizona, United States, Britannian Empire
"Your Highness, are you all right?"
Schneizel quickly noticed that he had a visitor, seeing a young man in his 20s wearing green clothes including light brown pants, green headwear and black boots that indicated his position as an official working under the Prime Minister's office.
"I apologize." Schneizel blinked his eyes, the young man standing in front of his table. If he were a terrorist, my life would've been over. Good thing I wasn't sleeping while looking at the picture frame.
"Not at all, your Highness." Kanon Maldini, a young promising official in the ranks of the Britannian civil service, had been working for Schneizel for a year after he assumed the post of Prime Minister. He directly appointed him as his adviser, seeing that he had potential after graduating with high honors from the University of San Francisco with a degree in Political Science.
"Is there something that needs my attention, Kanon?" Schneizel asked, seeing that Kanon had a folder with him.
"Yes, I do." Kanon handed the folder to Schneizel. "There's a spike regarding the insurgency in Area 11. Viceroy Clovis is requesting for some urgent assistance from the military."
"I see." Schneizel studied the request in the folder. "I'll pass this on to the Joint Chiefs. Get a meeting ready with them."
"Of course." Kanon nodded. "However..."
"There's more?" Schneizel raised an eyebrow at his subordinate.
"You...have a visitor waiting for you outside."
"Greetings." Schneizel was alarmed to see who the visitor was. He had facial features that were similar to Lelouch, but he had a sinister aura written all over his face. In addition, he wore purple and black noble Britannian clothing.
"Leave immediately." Schneizel warned Kanon. "And not a word of this meeting to anyone."
"Y-yes your Highness." Kanon quickly excused himself, leaving Schneizel and the unknown visitor inside the office.
Knightmare Training Area, Lost Soldiers Base, Okuchichibu Mountains, somewhere near Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"It seems they're evenly matched." Rai said, watching the Club and Guren continuously trade punches with each other with the occasional flips and kicks to the cockpit or to the waist.
"I don't think they're going anywhere." Rakshata said after removing the pipe from her mouth. "They're both good with their knightmares, but the Club's getting damaged while the Guren's fighting without a scratch."
"I don't think so." suggested Zero. "If I know my history of the Lost soldiers from the Second Pacific War, the Club's pilot should be able to have something up his sleeve..."
Cockpit, Z-01B Lancelot Club
"Need to get my MVS lance..."
After dodging the last punch meant for his cockpit, Marc executed a spinning kick on the Guren's cockpit area before he went for the MVS lance that was lodged on the wall in the Knightmare Training Area.
"Got it." Marc was able to grab the lance. "And with time to spare too..." He noted that the Guren's claw arm was trying to reach out for the Club's left arm.
"ERRRRAAAHHH!" Marc charged again towards the Guren, holding the lance over the Club as he moved in for the kill.
He waited until he was closer.
Closer.
Closer.
And a little bit more closer to the Guren...
Prime Minister's Office, 10 Saint Darwin Street, Pendragon, Phoenix, Arizona, United States, Britannian Empire
Schneizel glared at the visitor seated across from his desk. "What do you think you're doing here, having the nerve to come into Pendragon without any approval of sorts from the Royal Family and without any communication from the Britannian Household Agency as well?"
His visitor, however, merely smirked at Schneizel's glares and threat against him. "I assure you that I, Rolo vi Britannia, came in here with approval from his Majesty himself."
Schneizel replied by keeping his glare at Rolo. "I don't remember hearing that I had a brother with that name."
Rolo grinned. "You're right." He eyed Schneizel carefully, reclining back on his chair. "Officially, I don't exist on the record."
"Care to enlighten me?" Schneizel glared harder at Rolo, disgusted that his appearance reminded him of the deceased Lelouch. "I'm not convinced."
"Of course." Rolo nodded. "I am the twin of the deceased Lelouch vi Britannia." His introduction made Schneizel flinch with anger. "What nobody ever told you, my dear Prime Minister, was that I was kidnapped as an infant a week after I was born into the arms of the late Marianne vi Britannia by men in black hoods and cloaks."
The revelation brought surprise to Schneizel, but had shown a calm front to Rolo.
"Hmmm..." Rolo tapped his chin, looking at Schneizel. "I see that you're surprised." The black-haired Eden Vital figure grinned. "I can see that in your eyes; no need to put up such a calm front."
"I admit that I'm surprised." Schneizel replied, being a bit confused. "What I'm not seeing here is why you're telling me all this to me and me alone."
Rolo said nothing, only to grin at Schneizel.
Cockpit, Type-02 Guren-Mk II
Kallen had previously opened the claw arm when she had expected the unexpected.
The one-armed Lancelot Club had charged towards her, stabbing the claw arm's palm with the MVS lance's blade. Her console blared out a warning that the claw arm was starting to malfunction from the sudden attack.
Wait a minute. My fork knife! I can still use it!
Kallen held the fork knife in a reverse grip as her claw arm was being stabbed by the MVS lance, about to stab the Club's left arm when Marc quickly withdrew the MVS lance from the claw arm's palm.
Moments later, the Club was able to twirl the lance on its left arm before it detached the dual MVS swords connected by their pommels. The Guren charged at the Club to perform another offensive. The Club, however, rushed towards it and hacked off the Guren's left arm; one half of the arm was lobbed off, the fork knife held on the semi-dismembered limb, with the other still attached to the Japanese-made knightmare.
"Damn it!" Kallen said through her gritted teeth. "Now it seems both of us are on the loosing end of this match..."
"Hey!"
Kallen heard Marc send her a transmission.
"It seems that both our knightmares are getting worked up. What say we call it for a day?"
The Eurasian took notice of Marc's Club; it had its right arm ripped off with a functioning left arm. Although most of the Guren was still intact, the claw arm was damaged thanks to the Lost Soldier's use of the MVS lance's blade on it. Though it can still be moved, the console was warning her that any further action would completely wreck it, which also included the use of the Fukushahado on its palm. Her left arm was not doing so well as half of it was chopped off by the MVS sword. In addition with the prohibition of using firearms to prevent the Lost Soldiers' hideout from being a mess, the red-haired Black Knights ace was only left with little choice.
"I think I have to agree..."
Knightmare Training Area, Lost Soldiers Base, Okuchichibu Mountains, somewhere near Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
Zero went to see Marc and Kallen after they had disembarked from their knightmares via zip lines.
"My congratulations to the both of you, it was an even match from what I've seen so far." Zero clapped his hands, being enthusiastic that both the ace of the Black Knights and the leader of the Lost Soldiers had been evenly matched against each other.
"I would agree." Marc said, scratching the top of his head after getting off the zip line. Curse this balaclava. I need to change it soon.
"Thanks for allowing me to have a match with you." Kallen raised her right hand and extended it. "I needed it to get used to the Guren Mark II."
Marc grinned, shaking Kallen's hand. "My pleasure, Ms. Kozuki. At least you'll be able to fight and hold on your ground with the Britannians."
Kallen was surprised. "Eh? How so?"
"Intelligence has suggested that the Britannian Army has already fielded a machine similar to Marc's Club." Zero told Kallen. "Word is this new knightmare frame's called Z-01 Lancelot."
"So it's similar to yours?" Kallen asked the masked Lost Soldier, who merely nodded.
"I'll start repairs on the Guren and the Club right away." Rakshata informed the three. "You're lucky that spare parts were readily made by Kyoto House when the Guren was being secretly made." The Indian scientist grinned at Kallen.
"Thank you." Kallen bowed slightly to Rakshata.
"Not a problem at all."
"Alright." Marc sighed, yawning. "I better be off."
"Where are you going?" Rakshata raised an eyebrow.
"Barracks. I'm damn tired."
En route to Barracks, Lost Soldiers Base, Okuchichibu Mountains, somewhere near Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"Please wait!"
Marc turned around to see Kallen running after him, which raised his curiosity.
"Something up?" Marc asked the girl.
"I..." Kallen took a few minutes to catch her breath. "I want to know if you have news about my twin brother."
Marc was silent for a few minutes when Kallen had inquired.
"Ken Kozuki, to be exact."
Crap! Marc mentally cursed. I remember Ken telling me that she can't know that he's with us for the meantime...
2011 ATB
Somewhere in Narita, Japan, Area 11, Britannian Empire
It was an ordinary afternoon in the streets of downtown Narita, mostly rebuilt with Britannian money. However, it had changed when a street battle had started after men wearing civilian clothes opened fire on two automobiles with various firearms.
"What are hell are you soldiers doing here?" One of the armed men shouted to a group of Britannian soldiers that rushed in after they disembarked from a General Dynamics IAV Stryker APC after the armed men had finished shooting up the two sedans. "This is a SAS operation! You people are suppose to secure this block..."
The brown-haired, bearded man came to shock when the soldier raised his M-13 at him. "What in the bloody hell..."
It was too late. The soldiers started to gun down the plainclothed SAS men without giving them a chance to defend themselves.
"D-damn..." One of the surviving SAS men, a black-haired man in his late 40s, was crawling on the ground to grab his Heckler and Koch MP5A3 submachine gun nearby. "C-can't move my legs..."
"Good." A figure stood in front of him, wearing standard Britannian Army infantry uniform. His S&W M-50 pistol was aimed at him. "Your work here is done..."
He fired a shot from the pistol at the man's head, killing him in an instant.
"Check the cars! Hurry!" The soldier turned the man around, searching his pockets for anything useful.
"We're too late, boss." Ken yelled to the soldier. "Come on, Marc! Over here."
"Right." Marc went with Ken to check on the first sedan riddled with bullets. He was greeted with a horrific sight when he saw Naoto Kozuki, the leader of the NRA, was dead after having multiple gunshots on his chest.
"Hm..." Marc inspected Naoto's corpse. "Seems the SAS finished him off with a shot to the head. Typical of them in plainclothed operations. Goddamn it."
"We'll clean up the scene." Another soldier came to see Marc. "The Met police are coming, so we better hurry and get their bodies out of here."
"Okay." Marc nodded. However, Ken spoke to him. "I..."
"It's not your fault." Marc shook his head.
"I know." Ken sighed. "But my twin sister..."
"Kallen? You do know she's with the NRA, yes?"
"I do." Ken nodded. "But she musn't know that I'm with the Lost Soldiers..."
Marc raised an eyebrow, having holstered his M-50. "And why not, if I may ask you right now Sergeant?"
"I don't know how to face her yet, boss. I just don't know how to..."
En route to Barracks, Lost Soldiers Base, Okuchichibu Mountains, somewhere near Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"I can assure you, Kallen." Marc waved off Kallen's concerns. "Your brother is close by."
"But where?" Kallen asked, feeling desperate.
"I'm sorry." Marc shook his head. "But he made me promise him not to tell you where he is." He then sighed. "And as a man, I can't break a promise like that."
I just hope I can hold it off for much longer. Any more than this and it's going to be Ken's problem from here on end.
Kallen heard Marc's answer, but somehow was not able to ask him further on her missing brother.
"If you don't mind," Marc waved her off, heading to the barracks. "I'm heading to bed. Dead tired from our match."
Marc's Quarters, Lost Soldiers Base, Okuchichibu Mountains, somewhere near Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
Marc had just entered his quarters, taking off his balaclava after closing the door.
"I'm beat. I think I need to get some rest."
"That's strange." A voice replied. "Back out there, you seem to had inexhaustible energy when you faced the Guren in that sparring match."
On instinct of hearing an intruder nearby, Marc had his hands dart out for the right leg holster and grabbed his SIG SP 2022 pistol. Driven by his meta-human reflexes, Marc grabbed the intruder by the neck and slammed the person on the wall before the Eurasian soldier placed the 2022's barrel on the intruder's head.
"Is this how you greet your guests?" Marc saw that C.C. was inside his room, merely giving him a smile despite being threatened with a sidearm.
"You better tell me one good reason why I shouldn't blow your brains off right now." Marc glared at C.C. as his left index finger was about to depress the 2022's trigger.
"You know that I'm immortal, right?" C.C. smirked.
Marc, however, smirked back. "But that doesn't mean that you won't be able to feel pain even if you're invincible unless you pass that geass code of yours to someone else."
"Fair enough." C.C. sighed. "I do have a reason."
Marc raised an eyebrow. "You do?"
"I might be able to tell you where Eden Vital is." C.C. replied.
"And why are you helping me like this?" Marc lowered his pistol down.
"Simple." C.C. placed her right index finger on his lips. "I want my wish to be fulfilled by someone."
"Aren't you telling Zero?"
"No." C.C. shook her head. "Not right now perhaps. He has another motive."
Student Council Room, Ashford Academy, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"Haahhhhh..."
Kallen was alone in the Student Council Room, yawning to herself while going over some reports after she got a note from Milly that she needed her help to go over some budget reports regarding the allocation for the clubs next semester. It also mentioned that she'll be getting some help in a while.
Damn Milly! Asking me to do the damn work while she's found to be nowhere in the school after classes are over...
She sighed in frustration, reading over the budget reports for the Equestrian Club when Kallen felt something rub on her left leg.
"Arthur?" Kallen looked down to see the gray cat rub its head affectionately at her. She noted that he scratched the black area around its right eye. "What is it?"
"Nyaoo..." Arthur only replied.
"I'll get some food ready for you, okay?" Kallen patted Arthur's head when Lelouch entered the room.
"Hello, Kallen." Lelouch greeted Kallen, preparing food for the stray cat adopted by the council a week ago.
"What do you want, Lelouch?" Kallen carefully eyed the Britannian student, taking a seat next to her.
"The president sent me here, telling me that you need some help with the extra budget reports for the club." Lelouch began to take the Equestrian Club's budget report before Kallen took her seat, taking it from Lelouch's hands.
"I can do this myself you know." Kallen huffed, glaring at Lelouch even more.
"You don't have to be defensive, Kallen." Lelouch grinned, resting his chin with the palm of his left hand. "I'm a member of the Student Council too, in case you've forgotten."
"It's not necessary for you to help me." insisted Kallen. "I mean, it's nice of you to help me with this workload. But..."
"Please, Kallen." Lelouch tried to put on his best smile for her, making Kallen's cheeks go red. "Is it wrong if I offer my help in order for you to finish your work even faster? I promise that I won't bring you any trouble."
Kallen was now debating with herself. She seemed suspicious that Lelouch wanted to help her, even though she remembered pulling a pistol on him since she swore that he was Zero. On the other hand, Kallen would be available for the rest of the night just in case the Black Knights do have to be mobilized. So having Lelouch to assist her in the assessment of the reports would be fair.
Unless, this was Milly's plan on trying to get Lelouch and Kallen together for some luck on the blonde's part.
Dammit. Did the president make a bet with some of the other students that we could be together...
Suddenly, Kallen dropped the pencil from her hand.
"I'll get that for you." Lelouch saw the pencil roll over behind Kallen's chair, quickly standing up to retrieve it.
"No need, Lelouch. I got this one." Kallen too quickly stood up from her seat to retrieve the fallen pencil.
"OOF!"
"OUCH!"
The two Ashford Academy students collided with each other, hitting their foreheads very hard while getting the pencil.
"What happened in here?"
Cornelia peeked inside the Student Council room, hearing chairs fall down on the floor hard after hearing the voices of two familiar people inside.
"I'm coming in." The purple-haired history teacher stepped inside, hearing what it sounded like to be moans. "Is there anyone inside the room?"
What the hell? Her cheeks turned red as she inspected the seemingly empty room before she saw something that nearly blew her mind away.
And she was really angry about it.
Lelouch was on the floor, flinching in pain while he rubbed his forehead. But that wasn't the thing that made Cornelia upset. What ticked her off was Kallen; she was on top of Lelouch on her hands and legs. Her face nearly made contact with his. Nearby, the two chairs were near the two students, on the floor with no signs of any sort of damage.
"Aahhhh..." Kallen tried to explain her situation when she saw Cornelia was beginning to get angry at the two student. "Ms. Stanford, I can explain..."
"I want you two to get to the office at once." Cornelia angrily told the students. Before Lelouch and Kallen could protest that they weren't doing anything illicit, the half sister of Lelouch shouted. "YOU HEARD ME! MY OFFICE! NOW!"
Kallen glared at Lelouch, mouthing to him the words "This is all your fault."
Lelouch raised an eyebrow after he stood up to get the chairs back up.
Balcony, Nunnally's Room, Clubhouse, Ashford Academy, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"Hmmm?"
Nunnally was on the balcony, hearing a familiar voice shouting from the high school building's Student Council Room. Is that sister Cornelia? I wonder what she's mad about?
"Did you feel that someone's watching you?"
Nunnally heard Nemo's voice, seated on the balcony railing in front of her.
"What do you mean, Nemo?"
Nemo sighed. "For the past few days, I felt two people were watching this balcony from a distance. I'm pretty sure of it."
Nunnally asked Nemo. "Do you know who they are?"
"I'm not sure." Nemo shook her head again. "But I'm sure one of them's oddly familiar."
"Have you met this person somewhere before?"
"I think so. Probably that person's from the army."
"The army?" Nunnally felt a bit scared. Does the army know about my real name, especially big brother's?
"I won't know 'til we can directly confront them." Nemo said. "In the meantime, prepare yourself."
Nunnally nodded.
"Don't worry." Nemo placed a comforting hand on Nunnally's left shoulder. "I'll be around to help you when the time comes."
"Ms. Nunnally!" Nunnally turned around to see Sayoko standing at her door with a familiar person next to her.
"Your friend Alice is here. Should I let her in?"
"Ah, yes please." Nunnally moved her wheelchair back inside her room. "Thank you, Sayoko. I'll take it from here."
Outside Clubhouse, Ashford Academy, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"Damm Cornelia." Lelouch huffed, walking back towards the clubhouse. "She's so persistent in not believing that Kallen didn't do anything with me and vice versa."
It took 2 hours for Kallen and Lelouch to convince Cornelia that the two were not doing anything illicit in the Student Council room. Even with Lelouch explaining the situation to his half sister, it wasn't enough to get Cornelia off the case.
"I wonder how I'm suppose to get around things like that again in case it was Milly or Shirley to get involved." Lelouch sighed while kicking a small pebble as he walked over the small bridge that led to the clubhouse.
"Welcome back, Master Lelouch."
Sayoko was near the steps of the clubhouse, bowing to greet Lelouch. He was not surprised by her behavior, she was and is a Japanese at heart despite living under Britannian occupation. Harboring no ill will to Lelouch, Nunnally and Cornelia, Lelouch silently thanked the stars for her calm and peaceful personality unlike other ex-Japanese that he had encountered in the streets of the Tokyo Settlement.
"I'm home, Sayoko." Lelouch greeted the maid. "Is Nunnally home?"
"Yes. In fact, her friend Alice is speaking to her in her room right now."
"All right." Lelouch gave a slight nod. "I'll be in my room taking care of my things for the weekend."
"Of course." Sayoko bowed again, watching Lelouch enter the clubhouse before she accompanied him back inside.
Command Center, Lost Soldiers Base, Okuchichibu Mountains, somewhere near Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, Britannian Empire
"Incoming message from the JLF, boss." Rai waited for Marc, Ken and Jean to enter the room. Their balaclavas were on as always, not wanting the JLF to find out what their real faces are for their own protection and to protect their faction's existence.
"Put it on, Rai." Marc instructed Rai to make contact. Maybe I should've told Zero instead of letting C.C. tell me to keep it a secret on what she plans to tell me soon about Eden Vital.
"Got it." Rai gave the thumbs up, pressing a button on the console to turn on the main screen.
The screen showed the image of Katase, the current leader of the JLF wearing his JGSDF Flecktarn Type II uniform. Behind was Todo, standing at attention.
"It's good to see you, General." The Lost Soldiers stood at attention and saluted the old general swiftly.
"I also feel the same way." Katase saluted the Lost Soldiers. "I'm glad that I was able to get in touch with you people."
"Not a problem, sir." Rai replied to Katase's greeting. "Is there something that you wanted to raise with us right away?"
"Indeed I do." Katase sighed. "Lieutenant Colonel Todo will relay to you the matter himself." The Lost Soldiers saw Katase speak to Todo. "Todo, please inform them what you have."
"Yes, sir." Todo swiftly saluted Katase before he spoke to the Lost Soldiers. "It's good to hear from you guys again."
"Not at all, Todo." Marc replied, grinning under his balaclava. "Is there some trouble that the JLF's encountering lately?"
"Yes, we do. But it's a bit...unusual from our perspective."
"Who's the culprit? The Army? Marines? SAS? Guards?" Marc began to throw Todo names of the JLF's known enemies. However, Todo shook his head.
"They're not from the military." Todo told Marc. "This one... is totally different."
Marc and the other Lost Soldiers looked at each other before Jean offered an answer. "Is it from the Britannian Defense League?"
"Yes." Todo's answer nearly threw the Lost Soldiers off. Never in the history of Area 11 insurgency did a pro-occupation militia force engage a known anti-occupation guerrilla group aside from targeting individuals and organizations known to be harboring anti-Area rhetoric/thought.
"That's strange." Jean told Todo and Katase. "The BDL's been only targeting individuals and organizations known to be anti-Area and anti-occupation. Why now?"
"That is a good question." Katase answered Jean's concerns. "We were merely lucky that we found out the BDL targeted one of our safehouses in Osaka. Intelligence got wind of it when newspapers published the attack."
"At the time of the attack," Todo explained the situation. "our men had left the safehouse in order to relocate to a better area where we can't be easily compromised. Guess the BDL thought we were planning to use it again in the near future."
"No futher attacks were reported so far." Katase concluded the explanation. "But that's not merely the reason why I asked you."
"Let me guess," Marc snapped his fingers. "you're inviting us out to your Narita hideout?"
"I thought that it would be a good idea to strengthen our bonds as anti-occupation organizations."
It seems to be a good idea. Marc mused on Katase's offer. Not only we can be there at their hideout in case of an attack by the BDL, which can be unusual again, or by the military, but we can also train there further. The guys and I need to prepare ourselves for anti-knightmare and anti-infantry combat tactics using mountain warfare. And Narita's the perfect place to do it.
"Seems to be a good idea." Marc informed Katase. "I'll inform you on the decision."
"I thank you for the answer." Katase bowed before the main screen was shut down.
"You sure we're going to see the JLF and the base for training?" Rai eyed Marc with some suspicion. "Or it for a bigger, but ulterior motive?"
"Yeah, boss man." Ken eyed Marc as well. "I can feel that you're not accepting the request because of that."
"You two seem to be catching on pretty quick." Marc grinned. "In fact, you two are right on that. I do have something else in particular."
"And what's that?" Jean asked.
Marc simply snapped his right thumb and middle fingers. "Sooner or later, the Area 11 colonial government will have to eradicate all anti-occupation guerrilla groups in order to make it an example to all the other Areas around the world without having to resort to the Correctional Status title."
"Yeah, that title means major business." Rai moaned. The Lost Soldiers were not strange to Britannian domestic policy. With an Area having the Correctional Status slapped on it, the colonial government and any military units stationed on it are granted some form of emergency powers to deal with anti-Area insurgencies and terorrism.
The main bottom line means that for instance, the Viceroy can place the entire Area under martial law for 24 hours, seven days a week. Anyone caught disobeying martial law rules or committing major crimes in and out of the settlement would mean that the offenders would be either senteced by hard labor, firing squad, life without the chance of being paroled and other forms of harsh punishment. The possibilities are merely endless.
"With princess Ambrosia being here," Marc told his fellow soldiers. "I'm pretty sure that she'll recommend to the Viceroy for a major COIN operation soon. And guess who the winner is."
"Oh, god. It can't be." Ken groaned when Marc threw the big question of who.
The Japanese Liberation Front. One of the biggest anti-occupation guerrillas made up of ex-JSDF soldiers, officers and supporters. After years of enduring occupation and reformation underground from Britannia, the JLF has enough knightmare, infantry and armored vehicle battallions to at least take back the Kanto region from the Britannian military in Area 11. However, their numbers were slowly being dwindled thanks to the presence of Ambrosia, Guilford and Darlton in recent anti-JLF COIN ops.
"I guess it makes sense." Rai replied to Marc. "I heard the JLF lost some anti-siege knightmares during an anti-JLF COIN op commanded by Guilford and Darlton themselves."
"That settles it then." Marc told Rai. "Get the other guys assembled in the briefing room. We need their yes on this before we can reply back to Kusakabe."
"Gotcha." Jean nodded in reply.
Knightmare Hangar, Eden Vital Base, Unknown Country
"I'm surprised to see that you're here, uncle."
Rolo was on hand to see Eden Vital technicians conducting a maintenance inspection on his RPI-212 Vicent Prototype when V.V. had arrived.
"Are you?" V.V. chuckled. "No. I'm merely here to get away from things for a while."
"You mean father's plans to conduct Ragnarök?" Rolo asked his uncle.
"Yes." V.V. nodded. "It seems that I've been in contact with your father lately. He seems to be a bit distressed."
Rolo was curious. "How so?"
"Your half brother, Schneizel." V.V. told his nephew. "It seems that he's starting to poke his nose into things and areas that doesn't concern him."
"But uncle." Rolo objected to V.V.'s worries. "It's not like that he's planning to start an uprising against my father and replace him to be the 99th Emperor of the Holy Empire of Britannia."
"That's what worries me. Just because he doesn't show any signs of discontent towards your father does not equal that he is okay with him being the ruler of Britannia as emperor." V.V. glared at Rolo before he eyed the technicians checking on the Vincent Prototype. "Where's Anya anyway? I may need to speak with her."
"Out with Staff Sergeant Yoong. Apparently she's showing him around since he's the liaison officer to the COSMOS Battalion."
"I see..." V.V. murmured, remembering a certain event from the past years.
2009 ATB
V.V.'s Chambers, Eden Vital Base, unknown country
"So you're that Staff Sergeant that I've been told about?"
"Yes, sir." A young Marc entered the private chambers of V.V., wearing his Britannian infantry uniform. "Staff Sergeant Marc Edwin Yu. I've been told to report here by my superiors."
"Excellent." V.V. slightly nodded. "I thank you for coming."
"Is there something that I should knowing about, umm..." Marc began, trying to figure out the immortal's name for himself.
"Just V.V. will do, my good soldier." V.V. approached Marc, who got his name. "I suggest you're wondering why you're called here, am I right?"
"I guess so." Marc said, wondering why he was seemingly in the middle of nowhere. "I was told just to come here."
"Allow me to answer your curiosity, soldier." V.V. gazed at the staff sergeant before he asked the masked COSMOS soldier. "What if I can grant you a power that you allow you to help your fellow soldiers at the COSMOS Battalion perform well in the battlefield?"
"Really, sir?" Marc responded positively. "You mean that?"
V.V. grinned. "Of course, I do. Will you allow yourself to attain it, even if it means that you can lose your humanity in doing this?"
"I'm prepared to do that." Marc replied swiftly, standing at attention. "I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to serve my fellow soldiers." He then shouted after placing his clenched right hand on his chest, "ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"
"Excellent." V.V. grinned once more. "Now, I must warn you that the process that I will grant you this special power will be very painful. So bear with me."
Unknown Realm
"W-what is this?"
Marc had noted that he and V.V. were in another realm, surrounded by unlimited white space.
"This power that I'll grant you is called geass." V.V. began to explain. "This power, while it can grant you the power of a king, can also have its problems associated with it."
"Will this...geass allow me to serve Britannia better?"
"Yes, of course. Are you wiling to enter into this contract with me?"
"I AM!" Marc shouted, clenching his right hand. "I'm prepared to enter this contract and get this geass, so that I can serve the Britannian army better."
V.V. gave a grin. "Well, then. Your wish will be granted..."
A bird-like sigil appeared nearby, which began to approach Marc very fast. The masked COSMOS soldier was startled to see it. But before he could do something or say something, the Eurasian felt pain on his head.
"ERRRAAHHHH!" The child soldier screamed very loud, dropping on his knees while holding both sides of his head to decrease the pain he was feeling.
Chapter 9 END
PS - Haven't updated with this chapter in a while. Sorry about that, guys/gals. Real life stuff's been starting to bog me down, especially with oral tests for my Japanese 101 class (Which I did okay) with stuff that I had to prepare to the next few weeks coupled with enrollment for Summer 2009 classes in my university. There's also the part of studying for my Canadian citizenship test. I've been living in Canada ever since 2004 and my test is on April, which means that I have a few weeks to review before I meet with my legal counsel soon enough in order to prepare for the upcoming exam.
With those things in mind, I have been slowly updating this story. Hopefully I can get back to the swing of things and update it whenever I can. For now, I look forward to read and review your thoughts/comments/constructive criticism regarding the chapter or the overall story so far.
Oh yeah, the planned joint fics ideas are still up and running for those who want to do a joint story with me. I've also created a forum in the Resident Evil series, which is based for doing/planning crossover stories. So if you like to do a RE story while crossing it over with another series/franchise, go ahead and lurk there with your ideas/suggestions/thoughts.
Also planning in mind for a quick would be either one shots for Ga-rei: Zero on the 4th Division members or Toshokan Senso based on the LDF members with some from the MBC. Haven't decided yet, but will do the latter first maybe. I may approach a writer/Feel free to approach me on this matter. If I don't/No one's interested, I'll do the former most likely (98 percent sure). Buzz me on this.
In the meantime, feel free to let me know about how the chapter went. Especially the knightmare duel between Marc and Kallen. I just hope I did it okay. (Crosses fingers). I apologize for the lack of description for Kanon; not sure on his headgear. XP
As I keep doing the story, I'll work on Marc's geass to make sure his abilities are fully displayed. Thanks to the guys who suggested some of them; I'll try to work the kinks.
PPS - Is anyone willing to be challenged by doing a Lelouch/Sayoko fic? I know someone in the CG subcategory was trying to do one. :D
I also need to thank Cal reflector for his story, Code Geass: Lelouch of Britannia. One of my later influences in doing the story.